Exerciser for subnormal muscles



March 3, .1953 w. BIERMAN EXERCISER FOR SUBNORMAL MUSCLES Filed Nov. 3.1951 2 SHEETS SHEET l z g; J

HTTOPN Y March 3, 1953 w. BIERMAN EXERCISER FOR SUBNORMAL MUSCLE-S 2SHEETS SHEET 2 Filed NOV. 3, 1951 //V VE N 70/? [MIL L/AM BhfIFM/W BY IA T TO/PNE Y Patented Mar. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES P'lh GFFEQE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to exercisers for subnormal muscles of the bodyextremities, i. e. for the feet, legs, hands and arms. More particularly, the invention relates to an attachment for such an exerciser.

Some persons whose body extremities are paralyzed do not have sufficientcontrol of the other muscles of the body to hold the body extremities inproper position in the exerciser. Also, even if sufficient control forthis purpose is present, it is a great strain to hold a limb in oneposition while a part of it is being exercised for a long period oftime.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an ttachment for-anexerciser for paralyzed muscles for the body extremities which attachment will support a limb the muscles of which are to be exercised.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment ofthe character described which is readily adjustable for differentpositions and/or sizes of limbs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment ofthe character described which is easily detachably attachable to anexerciser.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment ofthe character de scribed which is simple to adjust, and light, portable,and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment ofthe character described which can be employed by a atient himselfwithout constant assistance and upervision from doctors and technicians,whereby not only will the patient be psychologically aided but histreatment will be less financially burdensome.

Other objects of the invention in part will be obvious and in part willbe pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangements of parts hereinafter describedand of which the scope of application will be indicated in the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the variouspossible embodiments of invention,

Fig. l is a side view of an attachment embodying the present invention,the same being shown attached to the functional end of an exerciser;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the exerciser and attachment shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially long the line 3-3 of Fig.1;

Fig. 4 i an enlarged sectional view taken sub stantially along the line4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a'fragmentary rear view of the attachment, showing a securingdetail; and

Fig. 6 is a, top view of a detail of the attachment.

To aid in comprehension of the present invention, a general descriptionof an exerciser E with which it is to be used follows: the exerciserincludes a platform for a limb extremity, the plat form being mounted insuch a way as to be capable of oscillation about two axes which are atright angles to one another, and of which one is horizontal. Themounting for the platform is such that separate pivoting means areemployed for said two axes, whereby the positions of said axes can bedefinitely fixed. The platform is oscillated by power. Said exerciser isshown, described and claimed in co-pending application Serial No.177,196 for Exercisers for Sub-normal Muscles, filed August 2, 1950.

More specifically, the exerciser E comprises a board Ill which is hingedto a base H at the end of the base remote from the functional end or theexerciser (the hinge and remote ends of the board and base are notshown). An elongated platform [4 of suitable dimensions and shape for alimb extremity is provided at the functional end of the exerciser, thesame including a vertically adjustable heel rest 15. Said platform ismounted on a bridge 16, the mounting permitting pivotal movement aboutthe longitudinal axis of the platform. The bridge is mounted on thebase, this mounting permitting rocking of the bridge about a horizontalaxi A perpendicular to the first-named axis.

The reference numeral 18 denotes an attachment constructed in accordancewith the instant invention. Said attachment includes an elongatedsupport 2|] for a limb and a means to secure the support to theexerciser. The support is upwardly concave about its longitudinal axisso a to fit the limb and may be provided with a foam rubber cushion 22on the top surface thereof.

Two parallel spaced legs 24 extend downwardly from the support, saidlegs being disposed on each side of the longitudinal axis. Anon-circular, e. g. quare, rod 26 has vertically offset journal 28 atone end thereof, said journal being rotatable between the legs 24 on ashaft supported by said legs. The shaft is horizontal and parallel tothe horizontal axis of rotation A of the platform.

The rod 26, and thus the support held thereon, is detachably secured asfollows to the functional end of the exerciser, i. e. the end at which afoot, for example, is attached to the exerciser: a bearing to isdisposedon the rod, the bearing having a non-circular opening matchingthe cross-section of the rod. The bearing is slidable between the endsof the rod, the journal 28 acting as a stop at one end and a headed bolt32 a 15 serving as a stop at the other end. A set screw S t, having alarge knurled operating head, screws into the side of the bearing and isadapted to enter into the opening so that the block may be locked in anyposition between the ends of the rod.

Two diverging arms 38 integral with the bearing extend rearwardly andupwardly therefrom. Each arm has a reach 49 at its remote end, saidreaches being parallel to each other and to the rod. For ease ofadjustment, the attachment of the reaches to the exerciser is near or atthe horizontal axis of rotation of the platform. Each reach 4|] ismounted on a different protruding end 42 of the bridge [6 of theexerciser. To enable such mounting to be eifected, each end 42 is formedwith a threaded opening coincident with the horizontal axis of rotationof the bridge thus inhibiting movement of the attachment when the bridgerocks. Each reach carries a block 4d secured permanently to the reachand supporting a horizontal journal 46 above the reach. The journals aremutually coincident. Headed plugs 48 .rotatably fit said journals, andeach plug has a slender threaded stud G spaced from the head a distanceslightly greater than the width of a journal 46. The plugs are fittedinto the journals, and the studs 5d are screwed into the bridge endsthereby holding the arms rotatably to the exerciser for oscillationabout an axis coincident with the horizontal axisof rotation of theplatform.

The rod and arms in eifect jointly constitute a radius arm of variablelength which swings about the axis of rotation of the platform and holdsthe support.

In. the form of the invention herein shown a body extremity passes thesecuring means for the support in order to reach the platform. Thediverging arms form with the rod a Y-shaped structure permitting suchpassage. The arms are of equal length so that the support will bedisposed in line with the platform, i. e. directly in front thereof.

The attachment also includes means to support the arms and rod and thusthe support in any selected angular position. Said lastnamed means alsoconstitutes additional means to detachably attach the rod to theexerciser and comprises a shoe 52 having a channel 5% formed thereinmatching the cross-sectional configuration of the rod. A headed setscrew 56 fits a tapped opening 58 in the bottom of the shoe 52, saidopening communicating with the channel.

The set screw permits securing of the shoe at any point along the rod.Above the channel a thin elongated retainer plate 60 is mounted forrotation about a horizontal axis on the shoe. The plate is of suchlength and the point of attachment for it is so located that it canswing down over the channel and prevent separation of the rod and shoe.

Below the channel, two spaced projections 62 extend parallel to eachother. A shaft (54 preferably of circular cross-section is pivoted atone end between said projections by a horizontal bolt 55 extendingthrough registered openings in the projections and shaft. The other endof the shaft is received telescopically in the circular bore of a hollowpipe 66, the latter desirably having a length somewhat greater than thatof the shaft. A headed set screw 68 fitting into a tapped opening it inthe end of the pipe from which the shaft extends serves to fix the shaftat any selected depth of insertion int t P p t Means, for example aninturned flange on the near end of the pipe and a pin on the remote endof the shaft, is provided to prevent the shaft from completely leavingthe pipe.

To detachably attach the pipe to the base of the exerciser at theoperative end thereof, means is disposed at the end of the pipe remotefrom the support. Said means includes a C-clamp 12 secured by a bolt 14to the remote end 76 of the pipe. The last-mentioned connection is madeto parallel projections 78 extending from one side of the clampsimilarly to the attachment of the shaft to the shoe. Thus the pipe canswing around a horizontal axis at the c-clamp. The latter is designed toengage any thin edge such, for example, as the upturned edge 19 of thenear end of the base of the exerciser. screw 80 fits a tapped opening inthe C-clamp, and said set screw serves to detachably secure the clamp inplace on any suitable member.

lhe supporting means thus constitutes an extensible link having a clamppivoted at one end and a sliding bearing pivoted on the other end, thesupporting means being thus adapted to maintain the securing means inany position in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation A of theplatform.

The present construction permits maximum adjustability of the support, afeature which is highly desirable with paralyzed limbs that must be heldin exactly the correct position so that the right muscles are exercisedproperly.

In the preferred form of the invention means is provided to hold a limbon the support. Said means comprises pairs of spaced, downwardly facinghooks 82 on'each side of the support 2 on the undersurface thereof. Thehooks serve as anchors for bandages holding the limb to the support.

Against the outer surface of each tab 24 a thin element 88 is placed,each element having an opening registered with that of its tab, theshaft which turns in the journal 28 also serving to secure said elements88 in place. Two downwardly facing spaced hooks 90 are provided on eachelement, these hooks likewise serving as anchors for bandages holding alimb to the support. The elements and hooks are freely rotatable.

To use the attachment, the reaches are se cured to the exerciser, theshoe is connected to the rod, and the C-clamp is attached to theexerciser. The support is shifted to approximately its proper positionfor the type of limb and exercise desired, and the various set screwstightened temporarily. The limb, the muscles of which are tobeexercised, is bandaged to the support. The attachment now is adjusted tothe exact position desired. For the adjustments, the support'can rockabout the journal 28, the bearing can move along the rod, and thediverging arms can rock about the plugs 48. To adjust the supportingmeans in order to retain the support in the exact position to which ithas been set, the shoe can be moved along the rod, the shaft can bemoved within the pipe, and both ends of the pipe-shaft unit can pivot.Thus maximum adjustability can be simply obtained.

It thus will be seen that there is provided a device which achieves allthe objects of the invention and is well adapted to meet the condi tionsof practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set Aheaded set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereindescribed, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent:

1. An attachment for an exerciser for subnormal muscles, said exerciserhaving a platform for limb extremities, said platform being rotatableabout a horizontal axis: said attachment comprising a limb support;means to mount said support in spaced relationship to, in front of, andin line with the platform of the exerciser, said mounting meansincluding two parts, means connecting said parts to one another forrelative translatory movement, means securing the support to one of saidparts, means selectively preventing movement of said parts with respectto each other, and means detachably and rotatably attaching the otherpart to the exerciser, the axis of rotation of said last-named meansbeing adjacent and parallel to the axis of rotation. of the platform;and means supporting the mounting means, said supporting means includinga shoe sii'iable on a part of the mounting means, means selectivelypreventing movement of the shoe on said part, a shaft pivotally securedto the shoe, an element in conjunction with which the shaft is slidable,means selectively preventing movement of the shaft with respect to saidelement, and a clamp rotatably secured to the element, the axis ofrotation of the clamp and shaft being parallel to that of the platform,said clamp constituting means to attach the supporting means to astationary object.

2. An attachment for an exerciser for subnormal muscles, said exerciserhaving a platform for limb extremities, said platform being rotatableabout a horizontal axis: said attachment comprising a limb support;means to mount said support in spaced relationship to, in front of, andin line with the platform of the exerciser, said mounting meansincluding two parts, means connecting said parts to one another forrelative translatory movement, means securing the support to one of saidparts, means selectively preventing movement of said parts with respectto each other, and means detachably and rotatably attaching the otherpart to the exerciser, the axis of rotation of said last-named meansbeing adjacent and parallel to the axis of rotation of the platform; andmeans supporting the mounting means, said supporting means including ashaft pivotally secured to a part of the mounting means, an element inconjunction with which the shaft is slidable, means selectivelypreventing movement of the shaft with respect to said element, and aclamp rotatably secured to the element, the axis of rotation of theclamp and shaft being parallel to that of the platform, said clampconstituting means to attach the supporting means to a stationaryobject.

3. An attachment for an exerciser for subnormal muscles, said exerciserhaving a platform for limb extremities, said platform being rotatableabout a horizontal axis: said attachment comprising a limb support;means to mount said support in spaced relationship to, in front of, andin line with the platform of the exerciser, said mounting meansincluding two parts, means connecting said parts to one another forrelative translatory movement, means securing the support to one of saidparts, means selectively preventing movement of said parts with respectto each other, and means detachably and rotatably attaching the otherpart to the exerciser, the axis of rotation of said last-named meansbeing adjacent and parallel to the axis of rotation of the platform; andmeans supporting the mounting means, said supporting means including ashoe slidable on a part of the mounting means, means selectivelypreventing movement of the shoe on said part, a shaft pivotally securedto the shoe, and a clamp rotatably secured to the shaft, the axis ofrotation of the clamp and shaft being parallel to that of the platform,said clamp constituting means to attach the supporting means to astationary object.

4.. An attachment for an exerciser for subnor mal muscles, saidexerciser having a platform for limb extremities, said platform beingrotatable about a horizontal axis: said attachment comprising a limbsupport; means to mount said support in spaced relationship to, in frontor", and in line with the platform of exerciser, said mounting meansconstituting a Y-shaped element, said element having two diverging armsattached to a leg, means attaching the tips of the arms rotatably to theexerciser, and means adjustably connecting the support to the leg; andmeans adjustably supportin the Y-shaped element from a stationary objectin any selected position.

5. An attachment for an exerciser for subnormal muscles, said exerciserhaving a platform for limb extremities, said platform being rotatableabout a horizontal axis: said attachment comprising a limb support;means to mount said sup port in spaced relationship to, in front of, andin line with the platform of the exerciser, said mounting meansconstituting a Y-shaped element, said element having two diverging armsattached to a leg, the arms and the leg being so mutually disposed as todefine an angle hav ing an apex pointing downwardly, means attaching thetips of the arms rotatably to the exerciser, and means adjustablyconnecting the support to the leg; and means adju-stably supporting theY-shaped element from a stationary object in any selected position.

6. An attachment for an exerciser for subnormal muscles, said exerciserhaving a platform for limb extremities, said platform being rotatableabout a horizontal axis: said attachment com prising a limb support;means to mount said support in spaced relationship to, in front of, andin line with the platform of the exerciser, said mounting meansincluding two parts, means connecting said parts to one another forrelative translatory movement, means securing the support to one of saidparts, means selectively pre venting movement of said parts with respectto each other, means detachably and rotatably attaching the other partto the exerciser, the axis of rotation of said last-named means beingadjacent and parallel to the of rotation of the platform, and meansadjustably connecting the support to one of said parts of the mountingmeans, and means adjustably supporting the mounting means from astationary object in any selected position.

7. An attachment for an exerciser for subnorrnal muscles, said exerciserhaving a platform for limb extremities, said platform being rotata-bleabout a horizontal axis: said attachment comprising a limb support;means to mount said support in spaced relationship to, in front of, andin line with the platform of the exerciser, said mounting meansincluding two parts, one part constituting a red, the other-partconstituting a pair of diverging arms secured to a blocl ,-said blockhaving an opening therein slidably receiving the rod whereby said partsare connected for relative translatory movement, mean-s securing thesupport to the rod, means selectively preventing movement of said 'partswith respect to each other, and means detachably and rotatably attachingthe ends of the arms remote from the block to the exerciser, the axis ofrotation of said last-named means being adjacent and parallel to theaxis of rotation of the platform; and means supporting the mountingmeans, said supporting means including a shoe slidable on a part of themounting means, means selectively preventing movement of the shoe onsaid part, a shaft pivotally secured to the shoe, an element inconjunction with which the shaft is slidable, means selectivelypreventing movement of the shaft with respect to said element, and aclamp rotatably secured to the element, the axis of rotation of theclamp and shaft being parallel to that of the platform, said clampconstituting means to attach the supporting means to a stationaryoblect.

-8. An attachment for an exerciser for subnormal muscles, said exerciserhaving a platform for limb extremities, said platform being rotata- 1 leabout a horizontal axis: said attachment comprising a limb support;means to mount said support in spaced relationship to, in front of, andin line with the platform of the exerciser, said mounting meansincluding two parts, means connecting said parts to one another forrelative translatory movement, means securing the support to one of saidparts, means selectively preventing movement of said parts with respectto each other, and means detachably and rotatably attaching the otherpart to the exerciser, the axis of rotation of said last-named meansbeing adjacent and parallel to the axis of rotation of the platform; andmeans supporting the mounting means, said. supporting means including ashoe slidable on a part of the mounting means, means selectivelypreventing movement of the shoe on said part, a shaft pivotally securedto the shoe, a pipe in which the shaft is slidable, means selectivelypreventing movement of the shaft with respect to said pipe, and a clamprotatably secured to the pipe, the axis of rotation of the clamp andshaft being parallel to that of the platform, said clamp constitutingmeans to attach the supporting means to a stationary obiect.

9. An attachment for an exerciser for subnormal muscles, said exerciserhaving a platform for limb extremities, said platform being rotatar' bleabout a horizontal axis: said attachment comprising a limb support;means to mount said support in spaced relationship to, in front of, andin line with the platform of the exerciser, said mounting meansincluding two parts, one part constituting a rod, the other partconstituting a pair of diverging arms secured to a block, said blockhaving an opening therein slidably receiving the rod whereby said partsare connected for relative translatory movement, means securing thesupport to the rod, means selectively preventing movement of said partswith respect to each other, and means detachably and rotatably attachingthe ends of the arms remote from the block to the exerciser, the axis ofrotation of said last-named means being adjacent and parallel to theaxis of rotation of the platform; and means supporting the mountingmeans. said supporting means including a shoe slidable on a part of themounting means,

means selectively preventing movement of the shoe on said part, a shaftpivotally secured to the shoe, a pipe in which the shaft is slidable.means selectively preventin movement of the shaft with respect to saidpipe, and a clamp rotatably secured to the pipe, the axis of rotation ofthe clamp and shaft being parallel to that of the platform, said clampconstituting means to attach the supporting means to a stationaryobject.

10. An attachment for an exerciser for subnormal muscles, said exerciserhaving a platform for limb extremities, said platform being rotatableabout a horizontal axis: said attachment comprising a limb support;means to mount said support in spaced relationship to, in front of, andin line with the platform of the exerciser, said mounting meansincluding two parts, means connecting said parts to one another forrelative translatory movement, means securing the support to one of saidparts, means selectively preventing movement of said parts with respectto each other, and means detachably and rotatably attachihg the otherpart to the exerciser, the axis of rotation of said last-named meansbeing adjacent and parallel to the axis of rotation of the platform; andmeans supporting the mounting means, said supporting means including ashoe slidable on a part of the mounting means, means selectivelypreventing movement of the shoe on said part, a shaft pivotally securedto the shoe, an element in conjunction with which the shaft is slidable,means selectively preventing movement of the shaft with respect to saidelement, and a C-clamp rotatably secured to the element, the axis ofrotation of the C-clarnp and shaft being parallel to that of theplatform, said C-clarnp constituting means to attach the sup portingmeans to a stationary object.

11. An attachment for an exerciser for subnormal muscles, said exerciserhaving a platform for limb extremities, said platform being rotatableabout a horizontal axis: said attachment comprising an elongatedlongitudinally and upwardly concave limb support; means to mount saidsupport in spaced relationship to, in front of, and in line with theplatform of the exerciser, said mounting means including tWo parts,means connecting said parts to one another for relative translatorymovement, means securing the support to one of said parts, meansselectively preventing movement of said parts with respect to eachother, and means detachably and rotatably attaching the other part tothe exerciser, the axis of rotation of said last-named means beingadjacent and parallel to the axis of rotation of the platform; and meanssupporting the mounting means, said supporting means including a shoeslidable on a part of the mounting means, means selectively preventingmovement of the shoe on said part, a shaft pivot-ally secured to theshoe, an element in conjunction with which the shaft is slidable, meansselectively preventing movement of the shaft with respect to saidelement, and a clamp rotatably secured to the element, the axis ofrotation of the clamp and shaft being parallel to that of the platform,said clamp constituting means to attach the supporting means to astationary object.

IVILLIAM BZERMAN.

No references cited.

